The Carnival: A Fun Way To Experience St John

If you’re looking for a fun way to experience the island of St John and connect with the islanders, the St John Carnival is a great place to start. Held every June, it celebrates all things Virgin Islands – from food, music, st john rentals, dancing to local crafts and artisans.

Below we’ve highlighted some reasons why the St John Carnival needs to be at the top of your bucket list:

1. It started as a small festival in the early 1980s and has grown into one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island.
2. It is a celebration of the life of St. John the Baptist, who was born in Palestine and lived as a hermit in the desert before being beheaded by King Herod Antipas (the same king who had John the Baptist’s head served to Salome at a birthday party).
3. The carnival itself starts with a parade in Cruz Bay on Friday night, followed by a street party on Saturday. There’s live music, Caribbean food and drinks available from vendors, games for kids and adults alike (think coconut bowling), craft booths where you can make your own hat or necklace… You’ll find something for everyone!
4. The festival attracts over 1 million visitors each year and has been named as one of the most important cultural events in the Caribbean by UNESCO.

The main highlights of this celebration include:

J’ouvert – an energetic early morning street party on Monday prior to Ash Wednesday, where masqueraders roam the streets in costumes and paint their bodies with colourful designs

Masquerade bands – these are groups of people who wear elaborate costumes to represent different themes and perform music based on their theme

Carnival Queen Competition – held every year; participants must submit a video explaining why they should be crowned Carnival Queen.

Two parades – one on Friday night and another on Sunday night—and each one features a different theme. Both parades will feature floats (both large and small), live music from various bands, dancing groups from around St. John and beyond, and much more!

Conclusion

St. John carnival is the entertainment event of the year, a topnotch cultural experience that everyone is sure to enjoy. With talented musicians and entertainers, lots of live music, and much more, St. John Carnival is a sure bet for an exciting time that’s remembered well into the next year.

*This is a collaborative guest post

Author bio – James Sullivan has been helping with travel tourism for the past 12 years. He now wants to share his knowledge and expertise with others